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Now that the vaccines have helped reduce the transmission of COVID-19, the United States is beginning to reopen more fully, according to The Wall Street Journal (subscription).

A big shift: International travelers who have been fully vaccinated will be allowed to enter the United States by land or air starting on Nov. 8. That would mark a significant change to U.S. policy, which largely shut out non-U.S. citizens after March 2020.

Why we’re feeling good: “As COVID-19 cases from the delta variant begin to come down, the country appears to have turned another corner in its long battle against the pandemic. The seven-day moving average of cases declined to about 75,800 by Thursday, less than half the level hit in early September when the delta variant’s surge appeared to peak, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.”

• “Case counts in nearly all states hit hard by the delta surge appear to be in retreat. Hospitalizations have also been declining at the national level, marking another hopeful sign.”

Why we’re cautious: The seven-day average for deaths due to COVID-19 has recently been hovering around 1,500 a day, and with cold weather on the way, it may soon become harder for people across the country to gather in outdoor spaces where COVID-19 is less transmissible.

Get vaxxed: Check out the NAM’s resources that can help you get your community vaccinated at This Is Our Shot.